What makes your brand/denomination/interpretation of Christianity the "true" one? Thanks.
2007-10-02 05:25:28 · 18 answers · asked by Gwen 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There's a glaring problem with the issue of heresy, and it's the same reason why many denominations of Christianity exist.
The Bible can be used to justify just about anything. On top of that, it is a book that is contradictory and so vague in places that you could get ten different meanings from one passage.
Rather like poetry. Artfully written so that you feel you know its meaning without ever knowing what the author actually meant. And therein lies a huge portion of the Christianity meme.
2007-10-02 05:35:58 · answer #1 · answered by Snark 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
It isn't the "brand/denomination" that makes for a heretic. It is when someone presents themself as a Christian, but turns around and denies essential Christian doctrine. In other words, whether a denomination or particular minister sprinkles or dunk their believers in baptism wouldn't be an issue of heresy. Heresy would be for someone to say Christ wasn't really God incarnate, or that salvation was unimportant or things such as these. If a person really holds such beliefs they are really outside the community of Christianity, and not Christian at all. Essentials are what define the faith and have been held since the beginning. The Reformation happened because the official doctrine of the church was going heretical and theologians protested. Today, many denominations that were once keepers of the truth are swapping it out for cultural opinion, thus heresy.
2007-10-02 05:29:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋
Wow, love the answers from the well educated amongst us.
..."Jesus Christ started Catholicism", that is rich! Jesus was a JEW and founded no church. His apostles TRIED to start their OWN churches and their teachings and followers were eventually crushed under the Catholics (rich men in power) but JC formed NO church.
All I can say is I hope my doctor/mechanic/carpet layer has more thoroughly educated himself about his area of expertise than the average religious proselytizer.
2007-10-02 06:07:58 · answer #3 · answered by Gem 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Jesus began "The Church". He also, made the definition of who it is that belongs to "His Church".
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
All others are false teachers who have add dogma and man's traditions, like;
praying to Mary for intercession. Not in scripture.
confession to the priest. Not in scripture.
Calling one father. Told by Jesus not to do.
Using images in worship. Against the 2nd commandment.
Loving the Lord your God with all you might and strength and obeying his commands this is the greatest achievement.
2007-10-02 06:32:14 · answer #4 · answered by Bobby B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course I believe in heretics. No doubt quite a number of my ancestors were burned at the stake, drawn and quartered, and ripped apart on the rack. Christianity has a long and infamous history of culling the best and brightest from the human gene pool. Fortunately, they didn't quite get us all and now we're coming back for our long overdue vengence.
2007-10-02 05:39:16 · answer #5 · answered by Diogenes 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Heresy, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is a "theological or religious opinion or doctrine maintained in opposition, or held to be contrary, to the Roman Catholic or Orthodox doctrine of the Christian Church, or, by extension, to that of any church, creed, or religious system, considered as orthodox. By extension, heresy is an opinion or doctrine in philosophy, politics, science, art, etc., at variance with those generally accepted as authoritative."
Every non-Catholic is considered a heretic. Aren't you glad the Pope can't kill you for it any more?
@>}----}----
AD
2007-10-02 05:33:03 · answer #6 · answered by AuroraDawn 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I don't believe in heretics. "Heretic" is just a pejorative word for someone who has similar but somewhat different beliefs. Its as meaningless as the word "blasphemy". They are both just words that religious bigots can use to attack people that think differently than themselves.
Anyone that uses words such as "heretic" and "blasphemy" in reference to others is doing nothing other than exposing themselves as a bigoted egoist.
2007-10-02 05:35:03 · answer #7 · answered by Azure Z 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
If one believes that the Church is the "Body of Christ" - filled with the Holy Spirit and is an organic. living, breathing entity, made up of members who are Baptized into the Faith...then one must believe that the Body, meeting in Council and filled with that same Holy Spirit. has a right, nay - a DUTY to define it's terms and what it teaches as the truth.
There was a Church before there was a canonized "Bible" - not the other way around.
2007-10-02 05:31:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 4⤋
I will defer to the Bible. Anyone who preaches another Gospel is a heretic.
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. -2 Corinthians 11:13-14.
2007-10-02 05:33:47 · answer #9 · answered by great gig in the sky 7 · 2⤊ 4⤋
Yes, Jesus was a heretic. What is truth for one soul may not be a truth for another if they haven't evolved to a higher philosophy.
2007-10-02 05:32:57 · answer #10 · answered by Soul Shaper 5 · 1⤊ 4⤋